Rotary rosary



United States Patent Ofiice Z ,7 l 7,73 7 Patented Sept. 13, 1955 ROTARY ROSARY Ralph A. Hoelscher, St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 27, 1952, Serial .No. 295,990

2 Claims. (Cl. 235-106) The present invention relates generally to a novel device which may be employed in reciting the Rosary, without resorting to the use of the conventional string of beads on which prayers to the Virgin Mary are counted.

More particularly, the invention relates to a device for the purpose stated, which may be removably attached to a support; which may be permanently attached to a support; or which can be carried about the person, as may be desired.

The construction of a conventional rosary is well known. It includes a crucifix, a medal, a relatively short chain connection between the crucifix and the medal, and a relatively long chain in the form of a loop the ends of which are secured to the medal. The short chain carries a large bead adjacent the crucifix, a large bead adjacent the medal, and a series of three smaller beads intermediate the two large beads. Strung on the long chain are five groups or divisions of small beads, each division having a total number of ten beads, and being known as a decade. Said long chain also has strung thereon in spaced relation to the five decades, four large beads, there being one between the first and second, one between the second and third, another between the third and fourth, and another large bead between the fourth and fifth decades.

In the proper recitation of the Rosary, certain prayers are said while progressively manually contacting first the crucifix, then the beads strung between the crucifix and the medal, and thereafter the beads on the long chain, beginning from and returning to the medal, as is understood.

Ordinarily, that is when the recitation of the Rosary is uninterrupted, and further when both hands of the person reciting the Rosary are free, no problem is involved.

However, many people are unable to say the beads as often as they desire, and under such favorable circumstances, primarily because their occupational requirements will not permit them to do so. In other words, assuming that for example, an individual reciting the Rosary is interrupted at the twentieth bead, and a considerable period of time elapses before recitation can be resumed, it should be obvious that he would have some difficulty in remembering at which bead the interruption had taken place, even assuming that he had taken the time to note that particular bead. Should a series of interruptions occur during the saying of a single Rosary, it is obvious that recollection would become increasingly difiicult.

A primary object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a simple device for use in the recitation of the Rosary, which requires use of only one finger for its successful operation; which visibly indicates numerically the completion of each successive decade; which may be removably or permanently attached to a stationary support; which is light and compact so that it may be carried in a purse, pocket and so on of an individual; and which has other novel features and advantages as will appear.

Briefly, the invention includes a cup-shaped element closed at the top by a bead carrier, the latter provided along its marginal edge with ten small and one large beads, all of said beads being equally spaced relative to one another. Said bead carrier is rotatably mounted on a depending stem integral with a circular cover plate which overlies the bead carrier, and is non-movable relative thereto, the lower end of said stem being rigid with the cup-shaped element. Detent means are provided for the step by step rotation of the bead carrier, and a number cylinder mechanism is mounted within the cup-shaped element for indicating the end of each decade. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover plate, and a similar opening in the bead carrier therebelow, so that when the latter is brought into registration with the former, the uppermost number on the cylinder becomes visible. Means are provided on the cylinder for engagement by an actuator on the bead carrier to rotate the cylinder one-fifth of a revolution for each complete revolution of said carrier.

Features and advantages not specifically referred to above, will be noted in the detailed description of the invention to follow with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention, the device being portrayed in actual size;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof in association with a vacuum suction cup;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the device on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, a nut however being substituted for the vacuum cup;

Figure 5 is a top plan view on an enlarged 'scale and partly in section, the view being taken on the line 55 of Figure 3; v

Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the major central portion of the bead carrier;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a number strip per se;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of a rotatable cylinder having the strip of Figure 7 applied thereto, said view also illustrating diagrammatically the manner in which said cylinder is actuatable;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a slightly modified detent construction.

In Figures 1 through 4, the device comprising the present invention is designated as a whole by the numeral 12. It includes a cup-shaped base member, generally designated 14, a number cylinder mechanism 16, a bead carrier 18, a circular cover plate 20, and other elements and parts associated therewith as will appear.

The base member 14 includes a bottom wall 22, and an integral annular side wall 24, the latter preferably flared upwardly outwardly, as shown. Centrally of the base member, the bottom wall 22 has formed therein a threaded opening 26, and the lower end of a vertically disposed detent rod 28 is rigidly supported from said bottom wall. Said rod is provided with a semi-circular head 30, and is disposed radially outwardly from the vertical centerline of the base member, as seen in Figures 4 and 5.

The mechanism 16 includes a cylinder 32 the projecting trunnions 34 and 36 of which are rotatably mounted in the upturned legs 38 of a U-shaped bracket 40, the latter being rigidly attached to the wall 22 by screws 42 as shown, or otherwise. Interposed about the trunnion 36, between the inner face 44 of the cylinder and the inner upturned leg 38 of the bracket, is a light compression spring 46. Projecting laterally from the outer face 48 of said cylinder, is a series of five circularly spaced pins 50. Preferably, the free end 52 of each pin 50 is rounded.

' Illustrated in the flat in Figure 7, is a strip of paper 54, the opposite ends of which are designated 56 and 58. Provided on the strip are five spaced numerals as shown, and the strip is adhesively or otherwise secured to the cylinder 32 with the ends 56 and 58 in abutting relationship. It is here noted that the strip 54 is preferable, but the numerals may be imprinted in spaced relation directly on the peripheral surface of cylinder 32, if desired.

The carrier 18 includes a horizontally disposed disk portion 60, an integral sleeve portion 62 depending centrally thereof, and eleven equally spaced substantially spherical elements formed along the peripheral edge of the disk.

It is here noted that in the interest of clarity, and for comparative purposes further on, these spherical elements will henceforth usually be referred to as beads. As appears in Figure 1, there are ten small beads 64, and one large bead 66.

With particular reference to Figure 6, a circular series of eleven equally spaced arcuate depressions 68 is formed in the underside of the disk 60, each depression being provided on the same radial line on which one of the beads 64 or 66 is located, and being adapted to receive the semi-circular head portion 36 of the detent rod 28.

A sight opening 70, preferably rectangular as shown, but which may be of another configuration if desired, is formed in the disk 60. This opening, as illustrated in Figure 3, is so located as to uncover the uppermost numeral on't'ne cylinder 32 whenever said disk 60 is in the position portrayed.

Numeral 72 designates an actuator for engaging the pins 50 to rotate the cylinder 32 one-fifth of a revolution each time the disk 68 is completing a full revolution, as will be explained. The actuator 72 is rigid with the disk 60, and extends downwardly such a predetermined distance as to engage one of the pins 50 on the cylinder 32 just prior to the completion of each single revolution of said disk.

The cover plate 20 may be fiat if desired, but preferably the upper surface thereof is arcuately contoured as portrayed in the drawing. It includes a main body portion 74; an exposed upper face 76; a plane unexposed lower face 78; an integral stem 80; a threaded extremity 82 of reduced diameter depending from said stem; a sight opening 84 the configuration of which corresponds to that of the similar opening 70 in the disk 60; a crucifix 86 integrally formed with said body portion as illustrated, or otherwise rigidly secured thereto; and a medallion 88 integral with said body portion as illustrated, or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. With attention directed particularly to Figure 1, it is noted that the medallion 88 is a composite of three small medals 90, 92, and 94.

interposed about the stem 80 between the undersnrface 78 of the cover plate and the top surface of the disk 60, is a light conical compression spring 96 as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, where it may also be observed, an annular shoulder 98 is formed on the stem 80 by the reduced diameter of the threaded extremity 82.

In the assembled device, the cup-shaped base member 14 is threaded onto the extremity 82 until the upper surface of the bottom wall 22 engages against said shoulder 98, with a portion of said extremity projecting below said bottom wall.

As hereinbefore stated, the device thus far described may be either removably or permanently secured to a stationary support, or it may be fashioned into an easily portable device.

In all cases however, a suitable nut is applied to the projecting threaded extremity 82, and drawn up into firm engagement with the bottom wall 22, so that the base member 14, the cover plate 20, the integral stem 80 of the latter, and the nut, combine to form a composite and rigid unitary assembly the components of which can normally have no movements relatve to one another.

In Figures 2 and 3, the nut referred to is exemplified by an internally threaded bushing 100 bonded to an ordinary type vacuum suction cup 102, whereby the device may be removably aflixed to any selected support, as is understood.

In Figure 4, the nut 104 is of dome-shaped contour, and the thus exhibited exemplification provides a portable embodiment of the invention.

It is not deemed necessary to illustrate, nor to describe in detail, suitable means for permanently mounting the device. By way of example however, it should be obvious that a Z-shaped bracket having perforated upper and lower bars may be employed. That is to say, the upper bar may have an opening therein through which the projecting end of the extremity 82 may extend for engagement by a nut, and the lower bar may have an opening therein to receive a screw whereby to secure the bracket in place, as should be understood.

In order to explain the manner in which the Rosary may be recited on the present invention, it will be assumed that the device 12 has been positioned via vacuum cup 162, on the steering wheel of an automobile. It will further be assumed that the operator of said vehicle is a salesman required to make frequent stops in the territory which he travels, and that on the stretches of open roadway between stops, he desired to pray a rosary. In the event he had previously completed the recitation of the included prayers, the numeral 5 will be exhibited through the therefore registered openings 70 and 84. Should this not be the case, the bead carrier 18 may be rotated clockwise as suggested by the broken line arrow b in Figure 1, until the numeral 5 on the tape 54 appears through the registered sight openings.

As a result, the device 12 will exhibit the Figure l portrayal thereof, with the lone exception that in lieu of the numeral 1, the numeral 5 will be exposed to view via the registered openings '70 and 84.

Stated otherwise, whenever the sight openings 70 and 84 are in registry and present to view the numeral 5, the beginning or the end of a Rosary recitation is demonstrated, as should be understood.

Assuming now that the bead carrier 18 has been manipulated into the position resulting in the exhibition of the numeral 5 of tape 54 via the registered openings 70 and 72, and that the salesman desires to recite portions of the Rosary while travelling between stops, he may first apply a thumb or finger to the crucifix 86. As he does this, he recites the Apostles Creed just as he would holding the cross of a conventional rosary. Touching the head 66, he would say an Our Father," and then touching in succession the medals 90, 92, and 94, he would say a Hail Mary on each of them, concluding with a Glory be after the third "Hail Mary which had been said on the medal 94.

Thereupon, recitation of the first decade is begun by touching the bead 66, and while saying an Our Father moving said head clockwise until it occupies the previously occupied position of the first bead 64a of the circular series of beads 64.

It should be apparent that the compression spring 96 is instrumental in releasably retaining the depressions 68 in engagement with the semi-circular upper extremity 30 of the detent member 28. Thus, as the carrier 18 is rotated, a click is audible each time a depression 68 is brought into engagement with the detent member. It should also be apparent that following the partial rotation of the bead carrier 18, the solid disk portion 60 thereof overlies the number cylinder 32, so that the numeral 5 is no longer visible.

Following the recitation of the Our Father, completion of a decade may be had by touching the beads 64, and while saying a Hail Mary moving said beads clockwise to rotate the carrier 18 intermittently until the head 66 is returned to the position thereof illustrated in Figure 1. At that time, the actuator 72 will have engaged one of the pins 50 of the cylinder 32 to rotate the latter one-fifth of a revolution, so that the numeral 1 is brought into view below the now registered sight openings 70 and 84. Thus, the end of the first decade, and the beginning of the second is visibly indicated.

The manner in which the actuator 72 elfects the onefifth revolution of cylinder 32 each time a complete revolution of the bead carrier 18 is had, should be manifest from an inspection of Figures 5, 6, and 8.

With particular reference to Figure 8, it is seen that the actuating pin extends downwardly from the disk 60 to contact one of the pins and carry it forwardly as said disk rotates.

The cylinder 32 is thus caused to revolve counterclockwise as indicated by the broken line arrow a, whereas the disk rotates clockwise as indicated by the broken line arrow b, also appearing in Figure 1. However, since said disk rotates in a horizontal plane, the lower extremity of the actuator 72 slides off the pin 50 which it had engaged approximately simultaneously with the registration of the sight openings and 84.

It should be noted at this time, that the function of the compression spring 46 is to obviate fortuitous rotary movements of the cylinder 32. That is to say,

the compressive force of the spring 46 biases said cylinder laterally to bring the rounded free ends 52 of three of the pins 50 into contact with the outer leg 38 of the bracket 40. Thus the cylinder 32 is releasably retained in the position thereof effected by the last rotation of the carrier, until during the succeeding rotation thereof, the actuator again advances said cylinder one-fifth of a revolution.

The second decade may obviously be recited in the same manner, the completion thereof being visibly indicated by the numeral 2 appearing through the then registered sight openings, which simultaneously indicates the beginning of the third decade.

Assuming now that prior to the completion of the third decade the salesman has arrived at his next stop, it is not necessary for him to even so much as glance at the device 12, because as should now be apparent, said device will automatically exhibit the completion of the third decade following resumption of the Rosary recitation, no matter how much time has elapsed in the interim.

From the foregoing description, augmented by an inspection of the drawing, it should be apparent that the instant invention provides a novel, fascinating, and ingenious device adapted to attain its objectives.

It is to be understood however, that the invention contemplates any modifications or equivalent arrangements of structure, which may be suggested by the illustrated and described embodiment thereof.

An exemplary modification of the detent arrangement for intermittently arresting the rotary movements of the bead carrier 18 is portrayed in Figure 9. This view illustrates in cross-section, a circular depending boss portion 106 integrally formed with the disk 60. The periphery of the boss 106 is provided with eleven equally spaced recesses or indentations 108, each of which is successively engaged by the upper extremity of an angularly formed resilient member as said disk is rotated. In this arrangement, the indentations 108 are substitutes for the depressions 68, and the spring member 110 is a substitute for the element 28. In all other respects, the fragmentary Figure 9 illustration of the device 12 is similar to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and identical parts shown are designated by the same reference numerals, as is understood.

1 claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a cup-shaped base member; a cover plate including an integral stem rigid with the base member, said plate being disposed above the upper peripheral edge of said base member; a disk having a depending sleeve portion rotatably mounted about said stem, the disk being disposed between but out of contact with said cover plate and said upper peripheral edge of the base member; manually engageable means for intermittently rotating the disk; means to prevent fortuitous rotation of the disk comprising a circular series of eleven evenly spaced arcuate depressions formed in the under face of said disk, a detent rod having a semi-circular head adapted to engage any one of said depressions rigidly supported from the bottom Wall of the base member, and a compression spring interposed about a portion of said stern between the cover plate and the upper face of said disk; a number cylinder having a pair of laterally projecting trunnions rotatably mounted between the spaced legs of a U-shaped bracket supported from the bottom wall of the base member; means to rotate said cylinder one-fifth of a revolution for each complete revolution of said disk comprising an actuator depending from the disk and extending into the base member, and a circular series of five evenly spaced pins projecting laterally from one side of the cylinder for successive engagement by said actuator; means to prevent fortuitous rotation of the number cylinder; a sight opening formed in the cover plate in alignment with the number cylinder; and a sight opening in the disk adapted to visibly exhibit a fifth portion of the number cylinder periphery when said opening in the disk is brought into registration with said opening in the cover plate.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the manually engageable means for intermittently rotating the recited disk comprise: one large and ten smaller evenly spaced substantially spherical elements formed along the peripheral edge of said disk, each said spherical element being provided on a radial line whereon one of the recited eleven arcuate depressions is formed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 34,665 Young Mar. 11, 1862 198,786 Beeson Jan. 1, 1878 614,454 Fish Nov. 22, 1898 657,834 Ruttman Sept. 11, 1900 764,778 Staude July 12, 1904 1,720,085 Meyers July 9, 1929 2,282,852 Chann May 12, 1942 2,461,130 Szaj Feb. 8, 1949 2,666,581 Smith Jan. 19, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 244,893 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1925 

